Islanders rookie credits vets for his development

New York Islanders star rookie Matthew Schaefer has said all the right things in his tenure with the club this season. But it hasn’t been lip service. Schaefer has demonstrated a superior level of maturity not commonly seen in players 10 years his senior.

That said, Schaefer has taken it upon himself to give credit where it’s due. In particular, the 18-year-old has recognized the role that team veterans have played in his growth.

In a 1-on-1 interview with RG Media, Schaefer praised Islanders captain Anders Lee and veteran Bo Horvat for their roles in aiding his transition to the NHL.

"Yeah, I've learned so much. Even when I grew up as a young kid, my parents always wanted me and my brother to just be good people. I think that goes a lot farther than anything in hockey, and that's what all these guys are. They're great people and they come from great families.”

But the praise doesn’t stop there. Schaefer knows what it means to have seasoned leaders like Lee and Horvat around him. Their influence has gone well beyond the ice.

“When you have a team of such veteran guys and so many great leaders like Anders Lee, obviously he's a great captain. Bo Horvat, that's a great assistant captain. Everyone in our room is a leader, and it's so fun to be around because they've taught me, whether it's being a good person, learning so much on the ice and off the ice, and just everything, playing with their kids, their family, and the family environment that they're in, it's awesome.” 

Schaefer looks like the runaway candidate for the Calder Trophy this season. He has defied expectations by a country mile. But he knows that, despite his massive talent, others around him have had a hand in helping him get there.

Islanders have been there for Schaefer

One of the narratives around the Islanders this season has been the team’s willingness to rally around their young star. While Schaefer has had to pay his due, as every player does, the club has been fully supportive of his growth.

That’s something that has not gone unnoticed by the budding star. If anything, he’s well aware of what it means to have his team around him.

"They've always had my back through everything. Whether we talk about life or anything, they will always have my back through it all. It's awesome to have guys like that."

The way the Islanders have handled Schaefer’s growth this season speaks volumes about the cultural shift in Long Island. The shift has moved from shoving younger players to the back of the bus to giving them a more prominent role.

This season, fans have seen that approach in action firsthand. Beyond Schaefer, other younger players like Calum Ritchie, Emil Heineman, Simon Holmstrom, and even Marc Gatcomb have gotten a decent chance to make their mark on the team.

The culture shift has been a major step in ensuring the Isles have a sustainable, long-term competitive window. With veterans leading the way, the sky could be the limit, especially as more and more prospects graduate to the NHL.